Vernon Downs to Celebrate
70th Anniversary of Racing on 2023 Opening
Day
Harness racing season
and festivities kick off on Saturday, April
15
Vernon, NY – Vernon Downs Racetrack will be opening
its gates for the 70th season of live harness
racing on Saturday, April 15.
Vernon Downs was the eighth
racetrack to open in New York, beginning as a six-furlong oval with a
quarter-mile chute on July 1, 1953. Over the years, it has become known for
hosting prestigious stake races and drawing celebrities, like baseball’s Mickey
Mantle and Whitey Ford, and some of the best equine names, such as Bret Hanover,
Ring Eyed Pete, Nevele Pride, Albatross, Niatross,
Moni-Maker and Bunny Lake.
The company will mark this
milestone anniversary with celebrations honoring Vernon Down’s long-running legacy
of fast-paced harness
racing, ranging from a slate
of competitive races
on its 7/8-mile oval to
festive entertainment.
“Vernon Downs is a historic venue
and we are thrilled to have the support of top local horsemen and fans as we kick off our 70th year!”
said Arthur Wood,
Assistant General Manager.
“We’ve lined up some
great promotions and hope our fans enjoy the Vernon Downs experience.”
Here
is an overview of this season’s schedule
of events:
Saturday, April 15 – Opening
Day: Return for another season
of racing on Opening Day, with first
post at 6:05 p.m. Grab food
and drink deals, including $1 popcorn or fountain soda, $2 hot dog and $3 draft
beer (16 ounces). The first 200 guests to check in at the promotions desk after
Race 3 will receive a Vernon Downs golf umbrella.
Saturday, May 6 – Kentucky
Derby Day: While
enjoying mint julep
cocktails and delicious eats from food trucks, racegoers can view a live
broadcast of the 2023 Kentucky Derby from the racetrack and participate in a
$1,770 Derby Wager and Win Giveaway. Vernon Downs post time is 5:05 p.m.
Friday, May 12 – Horse Play Car Giveaway: Enter to win a 2023
Toyota Camry LE throughout live racing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Vernon Downs is donating 100% of the proceeds to the northeast
region of the American Cancer Society. Tune in for
the grand prize drawing during live racing on October 7, 2023.
Monday, May 29 – Special
Memorial Day Races: Join Vernon Downs for live racing, a mini horse race
and American flag giveaway. Post time is 12:15 p.m.
Friday, June 16 – Vernon Downs will feature the Empire Breeders
Classic with separate
races for 3-year-old filly
trotters and 3-year-old trotting colts with a special post time of 12:15 p.m.
Sunday, June 18 – Father’s
Day and Corgi
Dog Races: Spend
Father’s Day with the entire
family as Vernon Downs
features standardbreds and the fastest Corgi’s in the area! First post 12:15
p.m.
Saturday, July 1 – 70th Anniversary Racing Celebration: Celebrate Vernon Downs’
70th anniversary of racing with $70 gas gift card
giveaways, t-shirt giveaway, food trucks and fireworks.
Saturday, July 8 – Vernon Downs is proud to host the Zweig Memorial
races featuring the 3-year-old
Open Trot and 3-year-old Fillies Trot once again with a post time of 12:15 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, August 18-19 – Corntastic Weekend: On Friday August 18, and Saturday August 19,
guests will receive a half dozen ears of fresh sweet corn while supplies last.
A corn tossing contest will also highlight the weekend.
Live
racing takes place
from April through
November and entry
to the track is free every race day. Vernon Downs races on Friday and Saturday
evenings at 6:05 p.m. This season, post time will be at 4 p.m. on Fridays through
August. For more information about
the 2023 racing
season, promotions, all unique race dates and post times, visit www.VernonDowns.com.
Individuals must be 18 years of age to wager on horses, participate in promotions and giveaways, play gaming machines and purchase lottery
tickets.
ABOUT: Vernon Downs Casino
Hotel is a specialized gaming
center for gamers
of all volition to enjoy.
It is home to over 500 games,
including in-house progressives and video poker. The casino offers free enrollment into its Rewards
Club, where you can become
eligible to receive
benefits, such as special offer mailers, invitations to live events, and much more.
Vernon Downs is also home to self-bet
terminals for all thoroughbred and harness racing that
takes place at the casino hotel. You must be 18 years of age to play at Vernon
Downs. Please play responsibly. Vernon Downs is a New York State Lottery
Customer Service Center.
